22 ARC Upper Recommendations

[22Conch]

I ended up purchasing a complete 18 inch upper from Grendel Hunter. I was impressed with the quality of the upper receiver, bolt, and bolt carrier. The barrel is a Satern Lliberty barrel. It shoots the factory 62 grain ELDVT’s consistently at about an inch with only approximately 50 rounds through the barrel.

I will be primarily using the 22 arc for Coyotes this winter and plan on tracking all my shots. So far I am two for three. I took a shot on a coyote at approximately 200 yards and believe I hit one of the front legs on a frontal shot. I was unable to recover the Coyote, but believe it was killed. The other two coyotes were anchored -shot placement was good on those.

I chose the 22 arc in a gas gun for Coyotes. My big game set up will be the 6mm Creedmoor shooting a Straightjacket armory barrel in a Rokstok. If I had to choose just one gun I would consider 6 arc. But I like having the 22 arc gas gun and the 6 creed in the bolt gun.

I believe there is a gentleman that allegedly shot a bull moose with the 88 ELDm’s recently.

How is the Grendel Hunter upper? I have an older GH upper in 6.5G. Its pretty picky on ammo.


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[Spartan1810]

I would agree with that. I actually sold my barrel and went with a barrel from Old South Gunworks. I’m loading 69 TMK’s and it shoots great!

 

[RockinU]

I would agree with that. I actually sold my barrel and went with a barrel from Old South Gunworks. I’m loading 69 TMK’s and it shoots great!

Why did you end up switching barrels?

 

[Spartan1810]

Why did you end up switching barrels?

I started reloading and probably had unrealistic expectations for a gas gun. I heard mixed reviews on the barrel so I swapped. Looking back, I probably should have kept it or just switched to a bolt gun.

 

[RockinU]

I started reloading and probably had unrealistic expectations for a gas gun. I heard mixed reviews on the barrel so I swapped. Looking back, I probably should have kept it or just switched to a bolt gun.

What expectations did it not meet? Was it not consistent enough as a coyote rifle? I ask because I’m looking into one to use exactly as you said you were going to use yours, for predator hunting…

 

[Spartan1810]

What expectations did it not meet? Was it not consistent enough as a coyote rifle? I ask because I’m looking into one to use exactly as you said you were going to use yours, for predator hunting…

The initial rifle suppressed would not shoot consistent 1 inch or less groups with the 62’s or 75’s. I initially wanted to shoot the 62 eldvt bullet but the factory ammunition shot very inconsistent.

This started my motivation to start reloading. It took a lot of experimenting to find a reloading combination that would shoot. I blamed it on the barrel and probably should have continued to experiment but got frustrated. So I decided to eliminate a variable and start with a reputable barrel.

Looking back in this thread and purchase, I would probably recommend a bolt gun. Now, I was very specific and wanted to shoot a gas gun because I had a specific suppressor and desire to shoot a gas gun for magazine capacity. I don’t think it’s as critical of a factor as I initially thought. Accuracy when coyote hunting is more important than magazine capacity. The bolt guns have less variables and moving parts so they seem to shoot better.

Now all that being said, I have learned a lot from this experience. The 22 arc shoots the heavier higher BC bullets and that’s where it shines. My experience is limited, but I would have probably been happier with the accuracy results from reloading starting in a bolt gun.

For example, my Tikka 223 bolt gun was so easy. Purchased, mounted scope, developed a load, shot groups, and it shot well with reloads and factory ammunition. If Tikka made a 22 arc I would not hesitate and probably skip the gas gun for coyote hunting.

 

[RockinU]

The initial rifle suppressed would not shoot consistent 1 inch or less groups with the 62’s or 75’s. I initially wanted to shoot the 62 eldvt bullet but the factory ammunition shot very inconsistent.

This started my motivation to start reloading. It took a lot of experimenting to find a reloading combination that would shoot. I blamed it on the barrel and probably should have continued to experiment but got frustrated. So I decided to eliminate a variable and start with a reputable barrel.

Looking back in this thread and purchase, I would probably recommend a bolt gun. Now, I was very specific and wanted to shoot a gas gun because I had a specific suppressor and desire to shoot a gas gun for magazine capacity. I don’t think it’s as critical of a factor as I initially thought. Accuracy when coyote hunting is more important than magazine capacity. The bolt guns have less variables and moving parts so they seem to shoot better.

Now all that being said, I have learned a lot from this experience. The 22 arc shoots the heavier higher BC bullets and that’s where it shines. My experience is limited, but I would have probably been happier with the accuracy results from reloading starting in a bolt gun.

For example, my Tikka 223 bolt gun was so easy. Purchased, mounted scope, developed a load, shot groups, and it shot well with reloads and factory ammunition. If Tikka made a 22 arc I would not hesitate and probably skip the gas gun for coyote hunting.

Did it shoot better unsuppressed than it did suppressed? Maybe a tune question?